Sunday, September 15, 2013

Goodbye Dorothy...RIP

My Mother in law, Dorothy Humphrey had been battling liver cancer for the last few years. She had been doing okay until this summer when she had to return to the hospital several times for various side effects of her cancer treatment and the advancement of the cancer. Glenda got a call on Wed, Sept. 4th from her brother that her Mom was back in the hospital and it didn't look good. She had just gotten back home from her previous hospital stay only five days prior to Bryan's call.

Glenda hurriedly packed a bag and drove to Burlington, IA. Her brother and his wife were there and said that Dorothy had been losing blood throughout the day, the doctors couldn't stop the bleeding and transfusions couldn't keep up with the blood loss. Glenda was able to talk for a short time to her mom however she soon lost consciousness and shortly after passed on to be with her Heavenly Father. It was still a bit of a shock even though we knew this day would come because she went so quickly.  Fortunately she didn't have to suffer very long. Glenda's sister was not able to be there until the following day. Glenda, Bryan and Connie made the funeral arrangements and their mother's wishes were to be cremated. The family did however decide on having a visitation before the cremation so family and friends could say their last goodbyes.

The visitation was on Sun, Sept 8th and the funeral on Mon, Sept 9th. All the grandchildren and some of the great grandchildren were in attendance. The funeral home did a great job of showing Dorothy at the visitation. She really looked like she was at peace. Dorothy's only surviving sibling, Johnny and his family were there and other nieces and nephews we had not seen in many, many years were there too. It really is too bad that it takes something like a death in the family to bring everyone together. It was great to see everyone again and to catch up on what is happening in their lives. I hope we don't wait until someone else in the family passes to get back together. Dorothy was buried in the Glasgow, IA cemetery about an hour west of Burlington. It is a small country cemetery surrounded by cornfields. Dorothy's mother, father and older brother are buried there too.

Dorothy, your family loves you and misses you so much. Save us all a special place in heaven where we can all be together again with our Heavenly Father.